Mitch Green, a philosophy professor at the University of Connecticut and author of Know Thyself, dives deep into the quest for self-knowledge. He discusses the limitations of popular personality tests like Myers-Briggs, emphasizing that true self-discovery is a lifelong journey requiring external feedback and confronting hard truths. Exploring Socratic philosophy, he highlights the importance of questioning one's own values. The conversation warns against the dangers of rigid self-identities and advocates for a more nuanced understanding of personal growth.
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insights INSIGHT
Self-Knowledge Journey
Self-knowledge is a lifelong journey with varying degrees of understanding.
Introspection is valuable but limited; external perspectives are crucial.
insights INSIGHT
Triggers for Self-Discovery
Puzzling life experiences or personal crises often trigger self-examination.
These events prompt us to question our motivations and behaviors.
insights INSIGHT
Modern Drivers of Self-Reflection
The pandemic and a cultural shift towards valuing experiences over material possessions may be driving self-reflection.
Increased leisure time necessitates making choices aligned with our values.
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A Tale of Hubris and Wretched Excess on Wall Street
William D. Cohan
This book provides a meticulous and gripping narrative of the events leading to the collapse of Bear Stearns, one of the oldest and largest investment banks. It exposes the excessive greed, corruption, and unethical practices within the firm, particularly the failure of its hedge funds loaded with subprime mortgages. The author, William D. Cohan, offers a comprehensive look at the power struggles among senior management, the lack of oversight, and the catastrophic consequences of their actions on the global financial system.
Strangers to Ourselves
Julia Kristeva
This book by Julia Kristeva explores the notion of the 'stranger' or 'foreigner' in various cultural, historical, and philosophical contexts. It delves into the experiences of foreigners and the internal sense of strangeness, contrasting cosmopolitanism with xenophobia. Kristeva analyzes the legal and social status of foreigners throughout history, drawing examples from Greek tragedy, the Bible, and literature from the Middle Ages to the twentieth century. She also reflects on her own experience as a foreigner in France and discusses how recognizing the foreigner within ourselves can lead to a deeper understanding of our own identities and the loss of boundaries between self and other[1][3][4].
Know Thyself
Mitchell S. Green
Know Thyself: The Value and Limits of Self-Knowledge delves into the complexities of self-knowledge, examining topics such as personal identity, the unconscious, free will, and self-deception. The book integrates insights from philosophers like Plato and Descartes, psychoanalysts like Freud, and recent findings in neuroscience and psychology. It also includes a Buddhist perspective, offering a comprehensive overview of self-knowledge.
There are many ways people are trying to know themselves these days – from taking the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator test to analyzing their astrological birth charts to identifying their attachment styles. But are any of these methods helpful? Allie Volpe, a senior reporter at Vox, discusses this with Mitch Green, a philosophy professor at the University of Connecticut and author of the book Know Thyself: The Value and Limits of Self-Knowledge. Together they explore why there’s an increased interest in self-knowledge, the merits of self-discovery, and the best way to truly know ourselves.
The Gray Area with Sean Illing 
